Sick Puppy - Parvo?

[JonandMichelle]

My wife just took our 4 month old rottie ARCO to the vet because he may have parvo. We have another 4 year old rottie who is showing no signs of being sick. I know she has a better immune system than ARCO but how much is she at risk? What is the risk to our two children? I have read some books and they don't give too many precautions for family and other pets. Any suggestions?

[Nancy Estes]

It's unlikely that your adult Rottie will get Parvo. Parvovirus does is not transmitted to humans. Humans can "transmit" it to dogs by carrying the virus on shoes (dog feces), clothing, whatever, if you've been in contact with a dog that has or is a carrier for Parvo.

Nancy

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von Dorow Rottweilers
doggo1@apex2000.net

[JonandMichelle]

Well, as my husband just wrote in, I took Arco to the vet. It is now 1:49 a.m., and I am a wreck. The vet told me that I brought him in just in time and that with everything they can do for him it will be up to him to fight this. I am so upset, I love this dog so much. He is my "little boy". She said that if he doesnt start to improve within 48 to 72 hrs, that chances are he won't make it. I did find out about the risks to my older Rott, and that there is no chance for us gettting it. Thank you for quik reply. Please pray for our little boy, for my family, for we are all in tears. Thank you for your time and hopes and prayors in advance and will keep you all up to date on this situation. We love you Arco!!!!

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Michelle L. Sarabia

[Kiminski]

Michelle,
I am keeping good thought for your pup to pull through this. From everything that I have read there is a pretty good survival rate for dogs receiving good and prompt medical support, and it sounds as though you have both. This disease scares the heck out of me too. I also have a four month old male that I have just begun to take out into public places and I still worry. Has Arco Arco had all of his vaccinations? I'm curious because if he did and they still can get it then I'll really worry. Best wishes, and please keep us posted.
fondly, Kim

[abelmanalo]

parvo has not been known to cause illness in humans.
it can still infect your 4 year old Rott. although most cases are asymptomatic.
Just follow your vet's advice.
I hope everything turns out well for all of you...

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Abel Manalo ICQ:41470678 abelmanalo@yahoo.com
College of Veterinary Medicine
University of the Philippines

[JonandMichelle]

First I would like to thank everyone who has e-mailed me with your hopes and prayors. It has meant a lot to my family. The vet called me 6 o'clock this morning and said Arco pulled through the night with no problems. Didn't chew his IV cord nor pulled it out and only threw-up acouple of times. Said his white blood cell count was 6500 which isn't great but wasn't on or below 5000. She has much hope and confidence he will pull through this, as do I. It is just scary! Now we are dealing with hurricane Ireane and she is making my visits with Arco impossible until she passes. For I am restricted to base and Jon is working extra duty. The vet said that the next 24 to 48 hrs are the most critical and can tell by then if he is responding to the meds and if his temp. has gone down. Said he was alert for her this morning and that was a good sign. Well will see. Again, thanks for all the support from you!!!

P.S.
Kim, I e-mailed you back with my answers. Thanks for the kind thoughts.
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Michelle L. Sarabia

[This message has been edited by JonandMichelle (edited October 17, 1999).]

[JonandMichelle]

It's about 1:15 in the afternoon and I just came home from the Vets. Arco's temp went down last night, but went back up this morning to 105 degrees. She started him on his second antibiotic to see if it will help. Today was the first day he had bloody diarrhea. He looked so sad and helpless. I just started balling like a little baby. After I pulled myself together, I just sat there a cheered him on. Kept telling him to fight and to come home. I hated leaving him, but had to come home for the kids. I will be going back later today to visit somemore with him. I just wish and pray he will recover from this. I miss him so much and am having sleepness nights. How to deal with this????

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Michelle L. Sarabia

[JonandMichelle]

Just got a phone call from my Vet. Arco's temp is back down to a normal 100.8 and hasn't thrown up in the past 9 hours. This is great news and we have very high hopes. Just as long as he doesnt have a relapse, everything should go good. Again, thanks for the support. It's much needed in a time like this.

[JonandMichelle]

Well, Arco did relapse last night. Had the worst case of bloody diarreha since he has had this illness. Today has been a bummer for me. I had my hopes up and now they came crashing down again. Went to visit him this morning and all he did was lay there. Didnt get up this time, just laid there looking up at me with those tearful eyes. Im tring to be strong for him, my husband and my two children. Christian (my oldest)keeps asking me when Arco is coming home. He knows Arco isnt feeling good and is at the puppy doctor to get better, but its hard to tell him the truth. Just breaks my heart all around. Well, before I start sobbing on my computer, I should go. Thanks again to everyone who is holding hope for my little boy.

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Michelle L. Sarabia

[JonandMichelle]

I want to thank all of you who have replied and who have been praing for my Arco. Arco is very sick and has gotton worse. He is not responding to the treatment. Things just are not looking good. The vet is going to check his white blood cell count again today and should have the results by noon. He all have done what we can for him, it is in Gods hands now. If you dont hear from me in a few days, well, its just that this has been the most difficult thing for me and my family and when I am ready to talk again, I will. Again, thanks for all the support and dedication.

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Michelle L. Sarabia

[JonandMichelle]

What to do? Just got of the phone with the Vet. Arco is still hanging in there. His temp has been a steady 103 degrees for the past five days. She said that this could be a good thing, as he is still tring to fight off the orginisms from reproducing in his body. He hasnt vomited that much in the last 24 hrs and could be a sign that he is starting to come around. She told me this morning that a couple of days ago, she didnt think he was going to last to today. What do I do? I dont want him in pain, but yet if there is a chance he could be fighting this, I dont want to give up on him. This is so hard! I guess it is going to come down to his white blood cell count. Yesterday they dropped below 1000 and the machine had a hard time testing them because they were so low. Dear God, please let them be on the rise. She told me yesterday that Arco needed a miricle to survive. His he getting one? Just please keep praying and hoping for my baby. If there is just a slim chance for his survival, by God we are going to fight! Lets all keep our fingers crossed.

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Michelle L. Sarabia

[JonandMichelle]

You all are the best!!!!

I just came home from visiting with my baby. They gave me a blanket and I just laid down with him, rubbing his budda (he loves budda rubs) He is more alert today than ever. His eyes arn't as glossy and I actually got a "nub wag". BUT, this is mainly due to the fact that my Vet gave him a steriod shot this morning to give him a boost of energy. Said that this was a last ditch effort and maybe he needs to realize that he can live and fight this. This is giving me and my family so much hope. I am just afraid that tomorrow he will relapse and puff, there goes my hopes (again) We are doing another white blood cell count this evening, and just pray they are rising or staying the same. Just dont let them be any lower!!! I will be going back to visit here shortly. I haven't done laundry in a week and my family has no clean clothes (I really need a maid)

ARCO, JUST COME HOME!!!!

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Michelle L. Sarabia

[JonandMichelle]

Sadly, Arco has lost his life to Parvo. He passed away last night while laying in my arms getting his famous "budda belly rub". My family had their own special last time with him before he made his way over Rainbow Bridge. Somehow, I knew it was time to say good bye. Its like he told me, "mom, its time." Arco, your were nothing short of being first class. You were only with us for a couple of months, but you made such an impact on us. We knew we had a special little boy the day we saw you. You were the biggest in the litter, the sweetiest, you were the charmer. You gave my family a life time of loving, lasting memories. Arco, we did everything known to mankind to save you, it was just your time. I want you to understand, I dont blame you for leaving us. Someone up stairs had a plan for you, do him proud! May you have life times over life times of healthy, happy, playful days. Good-Bye my little boy, you will be missed. I know you will always be watching over us, I now have another gaurdian angel. We love you baby, be a good boy.
ARCO RASPUTIN VON SEDERHAUS
13 JUNE 1999-
22 OCTOBER 1999

To all of you who have given my family hope and prayers over this past week, We thank you. It has meant alot to us. I know Arco has touched our life, I think he touched yours as well. He was a special pup who will be missed greatly. Thank you.

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Michelle L. Sarabia

[This message has been edited by JonandMichelle (edited October 23, 1999).]

[JonandMichelle]

Thank you for your kind words and sympathy. It has been extremly difficult not having him around anymore. Yesterday, I was keeping myself busy by cleaning my house. As I was moving some furniture around to sweep, I found Arcos favorite bone. Just sat there crying like a baby. When I take Raja outside to go potty or to play, I can still see Arco running around trying to nip Raja's ankles. I don't know how to explain it, but its like I can still see his face in such detail. Its like he's really here. I take comfort knowing he is some place special. He is safe and in no pain. This might sound silly, but I had a dream last night. I saw Arco in heaven. He was chasing clouds and barking. He looked like he was having a good time. He was such a ham. Take care little guy.
Thanks again for everything. Talking to you all has made this ordeal a lot better to deal with. Its nice to have people to talk to who understand and who dont pass judgement, just listen. Its funny how we dont know eachother, only by sirnames and computer lingo, but yet we feel and understand eachothers joys and pains and can give comfort and congrats when needed. And most of all, they truly make a differance. Take care everyone.

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Michelle L. Sarabia

[guberdog]

I am so sorry, sorry, sorry for you and your family. I took Tammy's advice, let a balloon loose for my Bruno I lost in the Spring...next time I'll include one for your Arco. The only positive result is that you can be there for others in your situation, and help ease them through the shock, anger, and acceptance that this disease can wreck on a family. Please watch for those in need and be there for them. It's as good a therapy for you as for those who can benefit from your emotional experience.

Your little guy would want it that way. He's comfortable now, nuzzling the hands of the Angels.

Take care.

Debbie